Maddenation

On defense

I just saw the ceremony where President Obama signed the new defense bill from congress. There were (at least) three things I didn’t like.

First, the President talked about the bill not being perfect because, although it cut some waste like the F-35 fighter jet engine, there was still more waste to be cut. My problem is he didn’t mention any specific unnecessary or wasteful spending that was still in the bill. I think he should have named names and told us at least a few examples of unnecessary expenditures that specific senators and representatives refused to eliminate. Then he should have referred us to a website (the White House?) where all the waste was identified.

Second, the president announced that the bill also contained “important” hate crimes legislation that congress has been trying to pass for some time (10 years?). I would ask not only why we need “hate” crimes legislation but also what this legislation has to do with national defense. I think the president should have named the slimy, sneaky bastards who put this non-germane amendment (or whatever it is) into the bill.

Third, when he signed the bill, the president used about a dozen different pens. I’ve heard that this is done so that these pens can be given as gifts to those who supported/lobbied for the bill as this figurative piece of sausage was being made. Hence, this is a fundraising activity that should be stopped…unless these pens are sold to the highest bidder and the funds are returned to the US Treasury.

DadNews10/28/09 0 comments

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